Gai Waterhouse has registered an eighth victory in the Newcastle Cup when Military Mission stormed home to claim the Group 3 race on Friday.

The victory provides Military Mission with a ballot exemption for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on September 30.

Ridden Rachel King, Military Mission ($16) stormed home off a hot speed to grab the leader Spirit Ridge ($18) in the shadows of the post with Hosier ($11), who tracked the leader, fighting on bravely for third.

While Waterhouse has now registered eight Newcastle Cup wins, Military Mission’s victory gave Adrian Bott his third win in the race since joining Waterhouse in a training partnership.

Their previous victories came with Broadside (2017) and Hush Writer (2019).

While Waterhouse has made the Newcastle Cup almost her own, champion trainer Chris Waller registered his first win in the other feature of the day, the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m).

Tyler Schiller produced a masterful ride aboard Democracy Manifest ($5), weaving a passage from back in the field to score a runaway 2-½ length victory from Palmetto ($5) with Spangler ($10) in third place.

Success in Friday’s race provides Democracy Manifest with a ballot exemption for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on September 30.